Review in the Huffington post from Catherine Graham:

 

The New Douglas Adams Has arrived and He's Discovered the Real Meaning of Life

Blog of Catherine Graham in The Huffington Post (Posted: 19/11/2012 )

 

Many years ago when I was a student I was introduced to the works of Douglas Adams, and it was very shortly after that that I went with him on a tour of the universe. He told me the meaning of life was 42 and I spent many evenings coming back from a magical Geordie college by the sea on the Metro reading about the exploits of Ford Prefect.I became aware of many things through my literary travels with Adams. I learned that Yellow was a colour to start an adventure with, and that Androids are paranoid. I learned that there is a restaurant at the end of the Universe and that the last thing the Dolphins said before the world came to an end was "Goodbye and thanks for all the fish".I had a friend called Nicola and she told me that there would never be another writer as good as Adams. She also added that Adams' ability to take the reader on an adventure could never be matched by another human being because he was a genius. And even though many people came close, those words held true for twenty years. Pratchett came very close, but it wasn't until this September that I came across a book that contained the same level of adventure, insanity and hilarity and I wished I still knew Nicola so I could phone her up and say. "You have to read this book. Its a bit like Douglas Adams...only better"That book is Eskine Quint, Intrepid Adventurer Extraordinaire, and it is the story of the hunt for the source of all human madness, and of course, the Holy Grail. It is a pythonesque extravaganza of humour that starts in the Himalayas in India where Eskine and his faithful companion Kimjabi begin their quest by climbing Mount Everest. They then cause chaos in Paris, London and Rome. Then the adventure takes to the air and Erskine and Kimjabi go sailing across the Atlantic on a magical air balloon ride, whilst being pursued all the way by "a dark, dastardly cad, called Percival Smithers Bat-ears, Anthropologist Supreme."Both Erskine and Bat-ears are following an ancient path of clues hidden within the darkest places in history where madness has done its worst damage. At some points this madness leads the reader to ponder on the saddest events in history and it makes you believe that yes the world really is mad. But as soon as the poignancy comes it is gone, because the pace of the story is so fast the writer leaves you with no time for tears. He replaces them with more fantastic one liners and an excellent slightly rude joke or two,Erskine is an adventurer who enjoys his comforts, however and he is never without a new flash car or the company of a glamorous lady of the night. Unlike Smithers-Bat-ears who only has the one love, Volga Olga, a leading lady with a very big difference.And that's just the beginning of the story. The story then goes on to reveal the meaning of the whole world, and the secret relationship between God and the Devil. And all this makes it just as good as Adams. The only problem I can see with this book is that L R Johnson has only written the one book. And after reading Ersquine Quint, I really wanted to go out and buy another one. But there isn't one. He's unique, and we'll all just have to wait until he writes the next one.In the meantime, I think I'm going to go to the old bank street book shop in my town to see if they've got any old copies of the Hitchhiker's guide. I think its time for a re-read. Thank God for Douglas Adams...and of course L R Johnson.

 

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Review of Erskine Quint by Emerantia Parnall-Gilbert from The Gilbert Literary Agency

 

ABOUT LES JOHNSON

 

Amazing stuff!!! I honestly can't say I've come across anything else so unique which encompasses every emotion...and a whole lot more - which must have come from somewhere beyond the realms formerly not known to human kind, until now.

 

However the Author presents all of the 'real' as well as the 'surreal' elements within the boundaries of absolute authenticity, and which he has utilized and usurped from that extraordinary powerhouse of creativity which seems to encompass the mechanisms of his dark and twisted (but probably amazing) brain. Lol!

 

The Author has demonstrated his ability to mesmerize, startle and shock the reader simultaneously, yet also manages to offer a modicum of intermittent light, if somewhat bizarre sense of relief timely teamed with a splash of satire and good humor; conjuring a roller-coaster of emotions which keeps the ‘unfortunate reader’ well focused, imprisoned and shackled upon the adventures which unfold so dramatically before their reading eyes in stark imagery from the pages of this book.

 

If anyone is game enough to dare purchase a copy of ERSKINE QUINT INTREPID ADVENTURER EXTRAORDINAIRE, we promise they will experience an unforgettable and amazing journey of 'scary' , 'addictive' and the 'unusual', as can only be told so superbly in that true British tradition such as was executed so well by Author Les Johnson.

 

The sequel (and second book of this Trilogy) entitled ERSKINE QUINT INTREPID ADVENTURER "TENTACLES OF EVIL" will also shake the reader once more to the core...and if these works are ever optioned to film, they will take their place among the ranks of some of our greatest thriller movie classics of all time ever produced on the silver screen.

 

No, you are not imagining it...I am not exaggerating (11 december 2013)

 

Emerantia Parnall-Gilbert from The Gilbert Literary Agency:

http://www.gilbertliteraryagency.com/

 

 

 

Some more reviews of february 2014:

 

REVIEWS OF THE BOOK on Like Book: 

 

Author Keycard: My GOD! Emotions from reading this amazing book overflow me!

 

Author Parricide: I’ve bought it for my small daughter but it is interesting for me too.

 

Author Drainer: I think that all heroes are fictional. Nothing similar could happen in a real life.

 

Read them online:

 

http://araldi.cabook.us/erskine-quint.php

 

 

By Dono - (Amazon.com)

Amazon.co.jpで購入済み
"I read a review of this one in at a favorite online site. Thought it a little pricey, but the review just glowed with good willed laughter.
I ordered it under my wife's name, it matters not who's name unless it's a present. So, she opened the package when it arrived and I walked in to see her still giggling.

Now, my wife doesn't usually read. Pretty bad dyslexia and for her to giggle at a book cover is almost unheard of. The authors she will do are, of course, Douglas Adams and Christopher Moore plus a very few others. And now... Mr. R L Johnson is added to the short list.

She read the back cover and stole it. She stole my book! She's never done that. She's into the first chapter and happy as a a pup in new snow.

I never read the back cover, I avoid the things. It's an editor who writes that part. But, it was enough to have her say "I LOVE the new book you got me XX" and skip out of the room. Dammit, now I may have to buy another as she reads slowly chuckling with mirth. "

 

 

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Erskine Quint is a very captivating and exciting book! Erskine is on a quest to find the Holy Grail: as inthe book the Da Vinci code you can't stop reading because you want to know the secret of the Holy Grail! The outcome of his adventures is very surprising and during his majestic journey he meets interesting( inspired by history) characters and has numerous erotic adventures!If you like the humor of Monthy Python you will surely appreciate the sense of humor in this book!It is a roller coasting adventure, but with a deeper meaning which makes it a very interesting readingexperience! It is a real page turner and written very visually!It is an eccentric, mad and very entertaining novel for readers with an open mind!

Review of R. Kampen at Amazon.com

 

There are some awfully weird parts to this novel, but stick with it, the whole premise, start middle and (especially) the end, makes it well worth the journey. The writing is easy to read, the author having a good command of language, rarely is a word wasted. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

Review of I. P. Benson at Amazon.com

 

Brillliant.
Review of Gary Hoadley at Amazon.com